Canelo’s Financial “Knockout”: Surpasses Messi in the 2026 Earnings Rankings

Neither Messi’s goals nor his World Cup titles could stop the financial rise of Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez at the start of 2026.

The start of 2026 has shaken the economic structures of global sports with a revelation few anticipated. Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, despite a bittersweet 2025 in the ring following his defeat to Terence Crawford, has proven that his personal brand is one of the most powerful on the planet. According to the latest report from consulting firm Sportico, the boxer from Guadalajara has risen to become the second highest-paid athlete in the world, achieving the remarkable feat of displacing Lionel Messi from the financial podium.

The Top 5 of Sports Wealth

With a staggering $137 million, Canelo surpasses the captain of the Argentine national team by a margin of $7 million. The current global earnings ranking is led by the impressive figure of Cristiano Ronaldo, followed closely by the Mexican powerhouse:

Cristiano Ronaldo: $260M
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez: $137M
Lionel Messi: $130M
Juan Soto (MLB): $129.2M
LeBron James: $128.7M

Messi: Priorities Over Millions

It is fascinating to note that Messi does not top this list due to a strictly personal decision. While figures like Ronaldo opted for the Arab market, it has been revealed that the Argentine turned down a historic offer from Al-Ittihad worth €1.4 billion.

Anmar Al-Haili, president of the Saudi club, confirmed that although the offer was on the table, Messi prioritized the well-being and stability of his family over the largest paycheck in football history. This gesture underscores that, even though Canelo now holds the title of the second highest-paid athlete, the “10” remains the master of his own destiny, proving that in elite sports, success is sometimes measured not just in dollars, but in quality of life.